For the past decade, Models.com’s The Graduates series has been a visual check-in with the models of the moment who have consistently performed at the highest levels, going from the rising newcomers on the Hot List to the Top 50 recognizable muses throughout the world. Stars like Bella Hadid, Hoyeon, Vittoria Ceretti, Selena Forrest, and Sora Choi, to name a few, have all taken part of the milestone series that uniquely marks the shift in a model’s career. With major bookings in editorials, advertisements, lookbooks, and on the runway, these models have consistently locked down luxury clients in the most competitive markets while continuing to dominate on the global stage.
To commemorate our tenth year, we flew to Paris during the madness of fashion week to shoot all the top talent with photographer Mauricio Sierra. This year’s cast connects with the Models.com team to divulge how they got their starts, the key brands and creatives that have made their careers, and taking their place in the upper echelons.
An exclusive debut will always make us pay attention, and Lara Menezes’ start at Bottega Veneta at the top of last year put her on our radar for an eventual Top Newcomers link. Her unmistakable presence has taken the industry by storm as she’s topped billboards for Bottega, Saint Laurent, and Wales Bonner and working with a smattering of fashion’s most influential names. Hailing from Aracaju, Brazil, Lara’s path to modeling began with a spark of ambition and a bit of serendipity at a local convention. “I was always chasing this,” she recalls, laughing as she remembers her mother’s initial hesitation to let her attend. Yet when a scout invited Lara to a national modeling convention, her mother ultimately accompanied her—a pivotal moment that set her on a course she’d long dreamed of. With her Bottega runway debut, Lara found her fiery footing with a fashion house she continues to work with closely. However, fierce walk aside, that first show was nothing short of nerve-wracking. “I was super, super nervous… I was praying to God like, ‘Please don’t let me fall,’” she admits. That mix of nerves and excitement only strengthened her connection to Bottega, where next season she’s opened and closed shows—a rarity in itself.
Her rapid ascent to Models.com’s Top 50 has been a firestorm of high-profile campaigns, editorials, and covers, yet hasn’t been without its challenges, especially during the grueling show season. “The life I have now is the one I always dreamed of, so whenever I’m tired, I think, ‘This is what you wanted,’” she shares on set with us as the Paris season trickled down. Expressing a gratitude for the opportunities that have come her way, she credits the strong bonds she’s built backstage for making the process manageable. “Backstage, it’s like a reunion. I see Laiza [de Moura], my sister from Brazil, and we dance to shake off the nerves. It’s those moments that keep me going,” she says, highlighting the needed solidarity among models. Another layer of Lara’s development has been working with celebrated photographers like David Sims, Juergen Teller, Gabriel Moses and Malick Bodian, a challenge that has also allowed her to absorb new perspectives from each project. “I get so nervous on set, so I end up talking to them about anything—where they’re from, their inspirations. It’s about learning from them, not just about fashion,” she explains. She’s learned to navigate the varying demands of different brands, evolving her approach for each unique vision. “I can’t be the same Lara for every show or shoot. I have to switch from one Lara to another,” she reflects, a strategy she’s come to embrace while staying true to herself. This versatility, combined with her grounded outlook, has positioned her as one of the industry’s most promising faces.
